The NHL season is almost at the half-way point which is a perfect (and obvious) time to hand out the coveted School Your Pool Mid-Season Awards!

MVPAlex Ovechkin. This was a tough call, because Joe Thornton deserves strong consideration for this award. While Thornton leads the NHL in scoring with 54 points and has emerged as a shorthanded scoring threat to boot, Ovechkin has been more productive in less games. His 26 goals in 31 games is remarkable and the fact AO scores more (a lot more) goals than Thornton means he also scores more game winners. AO has also piled up more PIM's which is key for leagues that count the stat. Overall, AO continues to prove why he's the best player on ice.

Rookie-of-the-(mid)-YearTyler Myers. I know, I know. Many of you are asking why we haven't selected the Tavarian one for this award, as JT leads the NHL in rookie scoring with 28 points, including 16 goals. But really, based on how high Tavares was selected in many leagues, isn't 28 points in 40 games (on pace for 57 points) a tad disappointing, or at the very least not a surprise? On the other hand, Myers has 20 points in 38 contests and is one of only two rookie players in the top 7 rookie scorers who is on the plus side of the +/- ledger. While Myers is not yet providing much in the PPP category, his TOI has risen up to almost 25 minutes per game over the past month and he is clearly the leader on defense in Buffalo. He's on pace to score 43 points this season. The young man is a stud and could be a 50 point performer at season's end, which is monster production from a dman.

Sell High Player of the (mid) Year Dustin Penner. Penner's 19 goals and 38 points in 39 games this year probably isn't surprising to Kevin Lowe, but to the rest of the hockey world it is. He's on pace to score 40 goals and 80 points, but we don't think he'll get there. He's a big man with a lot of skill but his history suggests he's not a 40 goal scorer. Honourable Mention: Tomas Plekanec

Waiver Wire Gold aka the 'Rich Peverley Award'Matt Moulson. 15 goals in 40 games has Moulson pace for 31 on the season. Not bad for a waiver-wire pick-up. He's slowed down of late but expect him to pick it up as soon as Tavares gets it going again. Not sure if he'll hit 30 on the year, but 25 is a strong possiblity. He could be a good sell-high candidate.

Defenseman of the (mid) YearMike Green. Who else? He's on pace to score 82 points which is something that Nicklas Lidstrom has never accomplished. They guy would be a welcome addition to any fantasy team as a forward.

Goaltender of the (mid) YearRyan Miller. Miller narrowly beats out Ilya Bryzgalov and Martin Brodeur for this award. With a miniscule 1.98 GAA and impressive .935 SV% (both league leading) to go along with a 21-8-3 record and 4 shutouts, Miller has been downright nasty in net.

Ray Irwin writes for www.SchoolYourPool.com, the most complete fantasy hockey advice website on the internet. Featuring player and prospect rankings and interviews, daily starting goalies, buy low/sell high, injury reports, goalie carousel, and lots more...come on over to www.schoolyourpool.com and Get Educated!

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